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Fort Hood: Shooting scene is army's largest, mightiest post
Washington (AFP) Nov 5, 2009 Fort Hood, the site of a shooting rampage that claimed 11 lives Thursday, is the largest US military base in the world, home to an army corps, two armored divisions and up to 40,000 US troops. US military officials have long touted the base as an extremely secure post for soldiers, family members, and civilians. A military website said anyone entering Fort Hood must obtain an access pass for any entry points. It was named for the famous Confederate General John Bell Hood, who gained recognition during the Civil War as commander of Hood's Texas Brigade and is home to the First Cavalry Division and Fourth Infantry Division. The base, which officially opened in September 1942, has a proud and storied history, having provided fighting forces to every major US military conflict since the Vietnam War. During the late 1960s Fort Hood trained and deployed numerous units for duty in Vietnam. Units from the sprawling base also have taken part in Operation Desert Shield, and deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope. Fort Hood military units formed the core of the military deployment that went to Somalia in 1992 and supported military operations in Bosnia beginning that same year. Since the September 2001 terror attacks, the base has played a central role in the US war on terror, with sizeable contingents deploying to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom and to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The base's Fourth Infantry Division were responsible for the capture of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in December 2003. In addition to peacekeeping efforts, Fort Hood units routinely participate in national and international disaster relief efforts, including rescue and relief following the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and an earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua in 1992 that ravaged that city. Several Fort Hood units also deployed for relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina in September 2005. Located in the heart of central Texas, the huge base is some 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of the state capital of Austin and 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Waco, another major city. Fort Hood is the only US military post capable of supporting two full armored divisions. It is home to the Command III Corps, the Third Signal Brigade, the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 13th Finance Group, and 89th Military Police Brigade. The base commander is Lieutenant-General Bob Cone, the head of III Corps. Fort Hood also houses the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade, 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat), Dental Activity (DENTAC), Medical Support Activity (MEDDAC), Army Operational Test Command (AOTC) and various other units and tenant organizations. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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Fort Hood shootings 'horrific': ObamaWashington (AFP) Nov 5, 2009 US President Barack Obama called a shooting attack at the Fort Hood military base in Texas Thursday a "horrific outburst of violence." Speaking in Washington, Obama said details of the incident were still unclear. "What we do know is that a number of American soldiers have been killed. And even more have been wounded in a horrific outburst of violence," he said. At least 12 people we ... read more |
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